To MikeN From LauraO I don't believe that this idea of her having been sexually abused during her childhood is a valid explanation of her silence. I was under the impression that it was a result of the traumatic loss of her first love which if I remember correctly happened in a fire. Also, I believe that her first love was also a talented musician who aided in the cultivation of her own talents. I am not a psychologist but I feel that it would be safe to assume that the loss of this relationship did have a severe impact on Ada and could have trapped her into a world of silence.